Ordinary of Newgate Prison:
Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts

6th August 1740

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA174008064008060006

1st July 1740


As to the Fact for which he suffer'd, he was not willing directly to acknowledge his Crime, but seem'd desirous of being thought Innocent. To this End, he frequently exclaimed against the Deceased, in a bitter Manner, as though she was excessively given to drinking Geneva; insinuating that his Conduct and Behaviour was much more reasonable; but that she was continually fuddled, and constantly out of her Senses, and that she had sold or pawn'd all her Cloaths, and had (about a Year ago in one of her drunken Fits, over-laid a Child he had had by her.

The Account he gave of the Woman's Death, was, that on the 20th of May , she went out in the Morning betimes, and return'd Home about ten in the Forenoon; and being in Liquor, she was afraid of his Resentment, so she set down with Booker, th Landlord, for some little Time; after which he helped her up Stairs to their Chamber Door, and then left her. He own'd he let her into the Room, but was not willing to own himself sensible of the Means by which she came to her End, and tho' the Cries of Murder in the Deceased's Voice were heard in his Room, yet, as Quarrels and Out-cries were very frequent between them, the Persons who heard them, gave themselves (at that Instant) no extraordinary Trouble to enquire into the Occasion of them. But she being in a very few Hours after found dead upon the Bed in his Room, and it being apparent, that no one had been in the Room to commit the Fact but the Prisoner, he was taken up, and after Examination before a Justice of the Peace, was committed to Newgate , and afterwards brought to his Trial at the Old-Baily , where, upon full Evidence he was convicted. Tho' he seem'd very desirous to conceal his Guilt in this Particular, yet he behav'd decently while under Confinement; talk'd Scripture very much, was willing to be thought Penitent, and declared he died in Peace with all the World.

2. John Foster< no role > , was indicted for that he not having God before his Eyes, &c. in the Parish of St. Giles's, Cripplegate , June 25th , in, and upon Margaret Shovel< no role > , otherwise Garret< no role > , did make an Assault, and with a certain Hair Broom, value 1 d. which he, the said Foster, had, and held in both his Hands, her the said Margaret, with the Hair Broom did strike and beat, giving her on the right Side of the Head a mortal, contused Wound, of which she languished from the said 25th of June , to the 1st of July , and then died.

He was a second Time charged by Virtue of the Coroner's Inquisition for the said Murder.

He was about 35 Years of Age, and being born of very mean Parents, he was put to a Charity School, where he having learn'd to read and write a little, was afterwards put Apprentice to a Chimney-Sweeper , in Bell-Alley , in Coleman-Street , with whom he serv'd the Term of eight Years; after which he married, and followed his Employment, by which he made shift to maintain his Family, having had several Children, who are all dead but one. His Wife is still living, and frequently came to visit him in his Confinement. He told me he used to go to Church, and that he had not been so disordered in his Life, as some Persons are, but that he had been too much addicted to drink Geneva, and other strong Li




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